‘Being among the shielded makes you feel suddenly old’

In Kent, 68,205 “shielded” people have been advised not to leave home for the past 12 weeks. Among them is KM Group reporter Nicola Jordan, who says life in isolation has its ups and downs...

The first reaction to being told you have to “shield” is a strange and puzzling feeling of vulnerability. ‘Me, vulnerable?’, you ask yourself, not quite grasping the fact you are no longer fully in control of your life. My husband and I have only been placed in the highrisk category because of his current medical condition, not on age grounds. And we were born into a generation very much used to doing what they want and when they want to do it.

While the thinking behind it is, quite rightly, to protect my husband, it still feels like an affront.

It also makes you feel suddenly old. Initially, what needs shielding is the fridge, food cupboards and booze stash. Once all those kitchen units have been cleaned, wardrobes slimmed down and the spice rack put in alphabetical order, boredom sets in.

We have been married for 40 years, but always had our own space both at work and socially.

What has worked for me is turning the bedroom into a makeshift gym, where I can work out for an hour or so. Kevin is more than happy sitting in the garden with a crossword.

But the frustrations soon start to kick in. Not being able to see the kids and grandchildren for the foreseeable future is particularly hard.

Then there is the nightmare of shopping. Despite our status, which should have given us priority, we initially could not get on to any supermarket online delivery services. And even now, slots are so scarce that unless you reorder the moment your shopping arrives on the doorstep, you could end up waiting another 10 days for provisions. Inevitably, some items are not available or we forgot to add them. In normal times this would be rectified with ‘I’ll just nip down the road to the Co-op’.

Not now. Our neighbours, friends and family have been brilliant in helping us get over such problems, but you do find yourself loathe to keep asking them to make up for your own forgetfulness. It can get a bit embarrassing asking them if they could pick up some plasters and toilet flush on their weekly shop.

The only compensation has been the community spirit and kindness this awful time has engendered.

Since lockdown, our road has created a Whatsapp group which has helped us keep connected. Having lived here for more than 30 years, we have suddenly discovered neighbours we never knew existed.

My husband recently celebrated his birthday and, unprompted, people in our road turned up with cakes, balloons and cards.

And when the local community marked VE Day with everyone having alfresco drinks and picnics in their bunting-adorned front gardens, we were very much made to feel part of it-albeit at a safe social distance.

All very nice. But please let it end .... SOON!

Nicola Jordan and husband Kevin shielding in their home